Water temperature effect foraminifera
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The Impact of Water Temperature on Foraminifera
Introduction to Foraminifera and Temperature Sensitivity
Foraminifera, single-celled protists with calcareous shells, are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them valuable indicators for studying past and present ocean conditions. One of the critical factors influencing foraminifera is water temperature, which affects their physiology, distribution, and symbiotic relationships.
Temperature Effects on Shell Composition
Mg/Ca Ratios as Temperature Proxies
The ratio of magnesium to calcium (Mg/Ca) in foraminiferal shells is a widely used proxy for reconstructing past ocean temperatures. Studies have shown that Mg/Ca ratios in foraminiferal calcite increase exponentially with temperature. For instance, in the species Orbulina universa, Mg/Ca ratios follow the relationship Mg/Ca = 0.85 exp(0.096*T). This relationship allows scientists to estimate past sea surface temperatures by analyzing the Mg/Ca ratios in fossilized foraminifera.
Consistency Across Species
Research involving multiple species of planktonic foraminifera has demonstrated that the temperature dependence of Mg/Ca ratios is consistent across different species, provided that Mg dissolution effects are accounted for. This consistency reinforces the reliability of Mg/Ca ratios as a temperature proxy.
Physiological Responses to Elevated Temperatures
Thermal Tolerance and Symbiosis
Foraminifera hosting symbiotic algae are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. Elevated temperatures can cause bleaching, a phenomenon where foraminifera lose their symbiotic algae, leading to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and potential mortality. For example, Amphistegina lobifera experiences photochemical stress at 32°C, while Pararotalia calcariformata can tolerate temperatures up to 36°C, indicating a higher thermal tolerance.
Combined Stressors: Temperature and Pollution
The combined effects of elevated temperatures and pollutants, such as herbicides, can exacerbate stress on foraminifera. Experiments have shown that the presence of the herbicide diuron, along with temperatures above 30°C, significantly reduces photosynthetic efficiency and causes bleaching in foraminifera hosting diatoms or dinoflagellates. This highlights the compounded impact of multiple stressors on foraminiferal health.
Community and Distribution Changes
Impact of ENSO and Upwelling
In regions like the Galápagos Archipelago, natural temperature gradients and events such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) significantly influence foraminiferal communities. ENSO-induced temperature anomalies have been linked to low foraminiferal densities, while upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich waters can inhibit recovery and shift community compositions towards heterotrophic dominance.
Laboratory Culture Experiments
Controlled laboratory experiments have further elucidated the effects of temperature on foraminiferal communities. For instance, intertidal foraminiferal communities exhibit higher abundance and diversity at moderate temperatures (12°C) compared to lower temperatures (6°C). These findings underscore the importance of temperature in shaping foraminiferal community structure and species composition.
Conclusion
Water temperature plays a crucial role in the physiology, shell composition, and community dynamics of foraminifera. The Mg/Ca ratio in foraminiferal shells serves as a reliable proxy for past ocean temperatures, while elevated temperatures can lead to bleaching and reduced photosynthetic efficiency in symbiont-bearing foraminifera. Additionally, natural temperature gradients and events like ENSO significantly impact foraminiferal distribution and community structure. Understanding these temperature effects is essential for predicting the responses of foraminifera to ongoing climate change and for reconstructing past ocean conditions.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effects of seawater carbonate ion concentration and temperature on shell U, Mg, and Sr in cultured planktonic foraminifera
Effect of seawater temperature, pH, and nutrients on the distribution and character of low abundance shallow water benthic foraminifera in the Galápagos
Extremely heat tolerant photo-symbiosis in a shallow marine benthic foraminifera
Additive Pressures of Elevated Sea Surface Temperatures and Herbicides on Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifera
The combined effects of rising temperature and salinity may halt the future proliferation of symbiont-bearing foraminifera as ecosystem engineers.
Single foraminifera Mg/Ca analyses of past glacial-interglacial temperatures derived from G. ruber sensu stricto and sensu lato morphotypes
Coupled Mg/Ca and clumped isotope analyses of foraminifera provide consistent water temperatures
Simulated future conditions of ocean warming and acidification disrupt the microbiome of the calcifying foraminifera Marginopora vertebralis across life stages.
Responses of benthic foraminifera to changes of temperature and salinity: Results from a laboratory culture experiment
Past temperature and δ18O of surface ocean waters inferred from foraminiferal Mg/Ca ratios
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